NZ New Health & Safety Laws Approved! In place April 2016

Where is the new law at?

The Health and Safety Reform Bill has been passed by Parliament. It will come into effect on 4 April 2016.  You can view the new Act here.

What happens next?

The new law will be called the Health and Safety at Work Act. The Act itself will be published on the New Zealand Legislation website soon.

A series of regulations are being developed to support the new Act. These include:

• General risk and workplace management

• Major Hazard Facilities

• Asbestos

• Engagement, worker participation and representation (available shortly for public consultation)

Once the regulations are finalised, WorkSafe will issue formal guidance to support the Act and regulations. This formal guidance will start to become available in 2016. In the meantime WorkSafe will develop general information on the new legislation to help people prepare.

Until the new Act comes into effect in April 2016, the current Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 remains in force.

Things you can do now.

The new law comes into effect on 4 April 2016. Between now and then Global Compliance will provide supporting information to help you get ready. In the meantime here are five things you can do now:

• Familiarise yourself with the key concepts of the legislation

• Review your health and safety practices

• Identify health and safety risks in your business and take steps to prevent these from causing harm

• Lead by example

• Make health and safety part of your workplace culture

Keep in touch and look out for our next BLOG.

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